Backgrounder
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the FedNor, today announced a FedNor investment of more than $4 million in 16 projects to help diversify and grow the economy, while helping to maximize the economic potential of Northern Ontario's municipalities, as well as rural and Indigenous communities.
Community economic development initiatives supported by FedNor
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
Corporation of the Township of Dubreuilville
$67,370
Purchase trail grooming equipment and complete infrastructure upgrades to a one-kilometre section of the Mooseback Trail system. Provided through the Canadian Experiences Fund, this strategic investment will help increase tourism in this rural francophone community.
Développement Communautaire et Économique De Dubreuilville
$117,000
Complete a full market feasibility study and business case to establish a thermal wood processing facility in Dubreuilville.
Township of Chapleau
$199,586
Implement phase two of the Township of Chapleau's Community Investment Initiative to explore new economic development opportunities. Building on the success of phase one of the project, FedNor funding will enable the community to retain its Economic Development Officer for a three-year period.
Township of Hornepayne
$300,000
Hire an economic development officer for a three-year period to implement priorities identified in the community's strategic plan, including business opportunities related to the local mill.
Township of Val Rita-Harty
$236,500
Provided through FedNor's Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario, this targeted investment will be used to hire an economic development officer for a three-year period to implement strategic initiatives designed to increase business investment.
Kenora
Corporation of the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Fall
$67,700
To advance the township's Highway Corridor Improvement plan, FedNor funding will enable the community to redevelop the Nestor Falls waterfall site to boost tourism in the region.
Iskatewizaagegan First Nation
$234,210
Hire of an economic development officer for a three-year period to plan and implement strategic priorities.
Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation
$98,000
To develop a regional immigration strategy and attract newcomers to Northern Ontario. As part of the initiative, the FedNor funding was used to deliver one-day planning summits in Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario.
The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout
$975,000
To support industrial and commercial development in Sioux Lookout, this FedNor investment will be used to complete infrastructure enhancements, including the extension of municipal water and wastewater services to the Bigwood Lake and the North Airport Commercial Development sites
Parry Sound-Muskoka
Municipality of Whitestone
$150,000
Support the expansion of the community's library to include a technology business center.
Township of Armour
$450,000
Support the new Almaguin Community Economic Development Department Project, which includes establishing a single Community Economic Development presence to serve 14 municipalities in the East Parry Sound District (Almaguin Highlands region).
Sault Ste. Marie
Tourism Northern Ontario
$80,000
To prepare travel information centres that are not provincially supported to adapt to new COVID-19 safety requirements so they are ready to welcome tourists to the region.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River
Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club
$450,000
To support Thunder Bay's growing nature and adventure tourism, this targeted investment will help the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club construct and upgrade up to 40 kilometers of high grade, multi-use trails in the Trowbridge Forest trail system.
City of Thunder Bay
$300,000
Support upgrades to tourism infrastructure at Fort William Gardens to enhance sport tourism and support large-scale events and cultural gatherings. Facility enhancements will include a new video scoreboard, ice deck (covering), ice plant improvements, digital marquee screens, an editing suite and electrical upgrades.
Corporation of the Town of Fort Frances
$60,000
Feasibility study to examine economic opportunities to re-develop the former papermill site located in the center of town.
North Superior Workforce Planning Board
$291,200
Implement the Connector Program in Northwestern Ontario for a three-year period. This project will help skilled immigrants and other talented workers connect with potential employers and build their networks, with the goal of securing full-time employment and integrating into community.
